Examined data from 225 divorced fathers. Found that fathers who reported more positive relationships with their ex-wives were more satisfied with their custody arrangements; were more likely to blame themselves for marriage breakup; discussed greater number of topics with ex-wives; had higher educational levels; and reported greater feelings of…

The purpose of this article is to elucidate the sources of controversy between the use of the terms Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation and to delineate the advantages and disadvantages of using either term in the context of child-custody disputes. It concludes that families are best served when the more specific term, Parental…

This report presents Wisconsin state legislation dealing with custody arrangements. Part I gives key provisions of 1987 Assembly Bill 205. Part II reviews background activities related to the custody legislation. Part III discusses major issues relating to child custody arrangements, including definition clarification, child custody dispute…

Joint custody, the newest child custody alternative following divorce, is intended to benefit and serve the best interests of children. Unintended consequences, however, have been relatively unexplored, which raises questions as to the viability of joint custody for all families, regardless of social class, race, or ethnicity. Until further…

Reports on a research program investigating a model of mediator communicative competence in a divorce mediation context. Presents coding schemes for categorizing mediator interventions and disputants' negotiation tactics. Displays and interprets data by focusing on the pragmatic value of the model for practicing divorce mediators. (MM)

Determined how gender and divorce affect per-capita family income. Female per-capita income decreased substantially after divorce, while male per-capita income increased substantially. Differences between male and female income levels could not be attributed solely to number of dependents. Even among those with no dependents, females had much…

Analyzed 160 contested child custody cases to explore the role of children and determine the extent to which judges use discretionary powers. Results suggested children rarely provide any direct input into divorce/custody proceedings, questioning whether judges fulfill their duty to determine the child's best interests in such cases. (JAC)

Reviews 35 cases involving contested child custody and visitation and generalizes about the techniques used by experienced divorce mediators to help couples reach resolutions to their differences. Discusses different ways mediators orient couples to mediation, gain their commitment, identify the issues, overcome emotional obstacles and generate…

Compares two custody dispute intervention strategies, evaluation and mediation, and clarifies their philosophy, procedural differences, and limitations. The growing dissatisfaction with existing methods of processing custody disputes is affecting public policy as well as the focus of social research and the practice of the mental health…

Children's perspectives can enlighten decisions regarding custody and parenting plans. This article discusses why most procedures for soliciting children's preferences do not reliably elicit information on their best interests and do not give children a meaningful voice in decision making. Instead, these procedures provide children with forums in…

Child custody evaluators commonly find themselves confronted with resistance when they attempt to use the term parental alienation syndrome (PAS) in courts of law. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the reasons for the reluctance to use the PAS diagnosis and the applicability of parental alienation, as well as current DSM-IV substitute…

Examined coparenting among nearly 1,000 divorcing families approximately 18 months after parental separation. Compared three patterns of de facto residential custody (children living with mother, with father, or having dual residence). Amount of conflict in coparenting was related to intensity of earlier interparental hostility. (Author/NB)

Reviews four child custody cases in which reports of peer reviewers differed from those of psychologists and psychiatrists involved in the cases. Included are five reasons for judging reports as substandard. (RJC)

Familiarizes family professionals with how family law has been applied to stepfamilies and discusses how social science research findings may assist in process of legal reform. Reviews family law in areas of stepparents' financial support of stepchildren and stepparent custody and visitation following termination of remarriage. Makes tentative…

Contends that counselors and teachers can promote children's rights to nurturance and self-determination by encouraging parents to respect children's desire to live with both parents after divorce. Attempts to increase awareness among teachers and counselors that children as persons, rather than property, have specific rights in relation to…